Muslim Scholar Hamza Yusuf Appointed as Human Rights Adviser to Trump Administration
US Islamic Scholar Joins Controversial Human Rights Panel
Hamza Yusuf, a leading US-born Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, has been appointed to a 10-member panel established by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to examine the role of human rights in American foreign policy. The announcement in Washington on Monday has sparked significant debate within the Muslim community and among human rights advocates, who question the composition and motives of the newly formed "Commission on Unalienable Rights" [Middle East Eye].
Panel’s Mission and Composition
Secretary Pompeo described the commission as a group of human rights experts from "varied backgrounds and beliefs," tasked with reviewing the role of human rights in US public policy. The commission will be chaired by Mary Ann Glendon, a Harvard law professor and former US ambassador to the Vatican, known for her opposition to enshrining abortion as an international human right at the 1995 UN Women's Conference in Beijing [Middle East Eye].
Pompeo emphasized the need for the commission to provide an "informed review" of human rights principles, stating, "Words like 'rights' can be used by good or evil" and warning against manipulating human rights rhetoric for "dubious or malignant purposes" [Politico].
Glendon echoed these concerns, saying, "Basic human rights are misunderstood by many, manipulated by many, and ignored by the world’s worst human rights violators" [Politico].
Hamza Yusuf’s Role and Background
Hamza Yusuf’s appointment stands out due to his prominence in Western Islamic scholarship. He is widely regarded as a voice for moderate Islam and interfaith engagement, and he co-founded Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts institution in the United States [Economic Times]. Yusuf has also served as an advisor to the Center for Islamic Studies at UC Berkeley and was previously a member of the State Department’s Commission on Unalienable Rights during the first Trump administration [5Pillars].
The White House described Yusuf as “one of the leading proponents of classical learning in Islam”. It highlighted his influence, noting that he had been ranked “the Western world’s most influential Islamic scholar” for nearly a decade [5Pillars]. His academic and interfaith credentials have made him respected in Muslim and broader religious communities.
Community Backlash and Criticism
Despite his achievements, Yusuf’s decision to join the Trump administration’s advisory panel has drawn sharp criticism from within the Muslim community. Dr. Usaama al-Azami, a lecturer in Islamic Studies at Princeton University, called the move “a troubling development in Western Islam,” arguing that Yusuf’s participation with an administration widely perceived as hostile to Muslims would be seen as “an unforgivable lapse in judgement”.
Al-Azami told Middle East Eye, "For one of the West's most recognisable and once almost universally esteemed Islamic scholars to throw in his lot with the most venal and Islamophobic administration in American history will be viewed by many Muslims as an unforgivable lapse in judgement which will not easily be forgotten".
This sentiment is echoed by others who point to the Trump administration’s record on issues such as the Muslim travel ban and its support for controversial policies in the Middle East. Critics argue that Yusuf’s involvement lends legitimacy to an administration whose policies have directly affected Muslim communities in the US and abroad.
Yusuf’s appointment comes amid broader controversy over the Trump administration’s approach to religious liberty and human rights. The administration has faced criticism for its unequivocal support for Israel, threats against Palestinian populations, and policies that have been described as Islamophobic by advocacy groups.
Connections to the UAE and Human Rights Concerns
Hamza Yusuf’s political and religious affiliations have also come under scrutiny. Dr. Walaa Quisay, a teaching fellow at the University of Birmingham who specializes in neo-traditionalism in Islam, told Middle East Eye that Yusuf’s close relationship with Sheikh Abdullah Bin Bayyah and his role as vice president of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies—an organization bankrolled by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—may have influenced his decision to join the panel.
Quisay explained, “Over the years, Hamza Yusuf has centralised the idea of stability and government as the central ideal, and that Muslims should not politically engage but ensure that their hearts are clean. But when governments use this narrative to affirm the supremacy of the state and regime, it becomes a problem”.
Yusuf has previously been criticized for describing the UAE as a country “committed to tolerance,” a statement that rights groups say gives credibility to the UAE’s carefully crafted but misleading image as a progressive state [Middle East Eye][5Pillars].
Hiba Zayadin, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Middle East Eye, “For someone as influential as Sheikh Hamza Yusuf to call the UAE 'tolerant' contributes and gives credibility to the authorities' carefully tailored, yet false image, as a progressive and rights-respecting state”.
Human Rights Watch has documented ongoing human rights abuses in the UAE, including arbitrary detention, torture, and the suppression of dissent, particularly since the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011.
Broader Impact on US Muslim Communities
The controversy over Yusuf’s appointment highlights broader tensions within US Muslim communities regarding engagement with government institutions. Some see participation as an opportunity to influence policy and promote understanding, while others view it as complicity with administrations that have enacted policies harmful to Muslims.
The debate also reflects generational and ideological divides within the community. Yusuf’s critics argue that his approach prioritizes stability and government over activism and justice. This stance has become increasingly contentious in the context of rising Islamophobia and political polarization in the US.
Quotes and Reactions
“For one of the West's most recognisable and once almost universally esteemed Islamic scholars to throw in his lot with the most venal and Islamophobic administration in American history will be viewed by many Muslims as an unforgivable lapse in judgement which will not easily be forgotten.”
Dr. Usaama al-Azami, Princeton University, speaking to Middle East Eye [Middle East Eye]
“For someone as influential as Sheikh Hamza Yusuf to call the UAE 'tolerant' contributes and gives credibility to the authorities' carefully tailored, yet false image, as a progressive and rights respected state.”
Hiba Zayadin, Human Rights Watch, speaking to Middle East Eye [Middle East Eye]
Religious Liberty, Human Rights, and Political Strategy
The Commission on Unalienable Rights formation reflects ongoing debates in US foreign policy about the balance between religious liberty and universal human rights. Secretary Pompeo’s remarks suggest a desire to revisit foundational questions about what constitutes a human right and how such rights should be prioritized in American diplomacy.
Controversy Over Other Appointees
Yusuf is not the only controversial figure on the panel. Ismail Royer, another appointee, has a history of terrorism-related convictions but now works in religious advocacy and interfaith cooperation. His inclusion has drawn criticism from commentators, who allege that the appointments could undermine national security and lend legitimacy to individuals with suspected past links to extremism [Economic Times][Financial Express].
The Trump administration has defended its choices, emphasizing the appointees’ current peace-building and religious freedom work. However, the debate continues over whether such appointments are appropriate, given the individuals’ backgrounds and the sensitive nature of the panel’s mission [Financial Express].
Data and Statistics
The Commission on Unalienable Rights comprises 10 members from diverse religious and academic backgrounds [Politico][Middle East Eye].
Zaytuna College, co-founded by Yusuf, is the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the US [5Pillars].
Human Rights Watch has reported that since 2011, UAE residents who speak out against human rights violations face a serious risk of arbitrary detention, imprisonment, and torture [Middle East Eye[Human Rights Watch].
In July 2024, an Abu Dhabi court sentenced 53 human rights defenders and political dissidents to lengthy prison terms following what Human Rights Watch described as an unfair mass trial [Human Rights Watch.
Implications and Future Developments
Hamza Yusuf’s appointment to the Trump administration’s human rights panel underscores the complex intersections of religion, politics, and human rights in contemporary America. The controversy surrounding his decision reflects broader debates within the Muslim community and among human rights advocates about the best strategies for engagement and advocacy.
As the Commission on Unalienable Rights begins its work, observers will watch closely how its recommendations shape US foreign policy and whether it can balance the competing demands of religious liberty and universal human rights. The panel’s actions and the responses they provoke are likely to have lasting implications for the role of religious voices in American public life and for the relationship between the US government and its Muslim citizens.
The debate over Yusuf’s participation will likely continue, particularly as the Trump administration pursues policies that many see as at odds with the values of inclusion and justice. The appointment serves as a flashpoint in ongoing discussions about the future of human rights, religious liberty, and political engagement in the United States.